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Get your household storm-ready in an afternoon.
Hurricanes Helene and Milton hit Pinellas County within two weeks of each other in 2024. Milton alone dropped 12 to 15 inches of rain on Largo and pushed McKay Creek into homes. The households that recovered fastest had three things done before June: a known zone, a packed kit and documented insurance.
Tropical outlook right now
The National Hurricane Center's 7-day Atlantic outlook, refreshed by NOAA several times a day. Shaded areas show where a storm could form, not where one will hit.
Image: NOAA / National Hurricane Center (public domain). Open the NHC site for advisories.
Official sources to bookmark
Pinellas County Emergency Management
Orders, sheltersEvacuation orders, shelter openings and sandbag sites.
City of Largo storm page
City servicesDebris pickup, road closures and city updates.
Special-needs evacuation registry
Register earlyFor residents who need help to evacuate or require power for medical equipment.
Florida Division of Emergency Management
StateStatewide plans, fuel and shelter information.
Pinellas Recovers
Recovery aidIncome-based repair, rebuild and reimbursement programs after Idalia, Helene and Milton.
Go-bag checklist
Tick items as you pack. Your progress is saved in this browser only.
Before, during, after
When a storm is 5–7 days out
Refill prescriptions, buy water and batteries before the rush, check your policy's hurricane deductible, and photograph your home inside and out. Insurers often stop writing new policies once a storm threatens, so you cannot buy coverage at the last minute.
When a watch is issued (48 hours)
Bring in patio furniture, install shutters or panels, fill vehicles with fuel, and decide where you will go if your zone is ordered out. Friends inland are better than shelters.
During the storm
Stay in an interior room away from windows. Never run a generator in a garage or near a window; the CDC lists carbon monoxide poisoning among the leading causes of death after hurricanes. Do not drive through standing water.
After the storm
Wait for the all-clear, avoid downed lines, photograph damage before you clean up, and make temporary repairs to stop further damage. Then file your claim. Our claims guide walks through it.
Get shutter or window quotesStorm questions from 33773 households
Is Largo likely to be evacuated?
Most evacuation orders in Pinellas County start with Zone A and mobile homes, then move up through the zones as storm surge forecasts rise. Mobile and manufactured homes are ordered out for every evacuation, regardless of zone. Check your exact address with Know Your Zone.
Where are shelters?
Pinellas County announces which shelters open for each storm, and not all open every time. Check Pinellas County Emergency Management or Alert Pinellas when an order is issued. Pet-friendly shelters require registration.
Should I buy a generator?
Portable generators are cheaper but must run outdoors, at least 20 feet from doors and windows. Standby generators start automatically and need a permit and a licensed installer. If someone in your home depends on powered medical equipment, also register with the special-needs program.